New Way of Life for State Theatre?

First National in negotiations with interested buyer.

First National in negotiations with interested buyer.

July 19, 2006|CHRISTINA HILDRETH Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Today, the State Theatre stands vacant on South Michigan Street, its firmly locked doors bearing concert notices and dress code guidelines but never opening for guests. It has been almost a year since the former theater and nightclub closed. But by the end of August, another chapter is expected to unfold in the long and troubled history of the downtown landmark. First National Bank of America, the bank that owns the theater and four adjacent storefronts, is in negotiations with an interested buyer, said Chris Patterson, marketing manager for Roseland Acceptance Inc., which is part of the East Lansing, Mich.-based bank. Asking price for the property, which includes 212 through 218 S. Michigan St., is $369,900, as posted on Roseland Acceptance's Web site. Patterson would not disclose the identity of the potential buyer. But Lester Sumrall, eldest grandson of LeSEA's founder, this week confirmed that his nonprofit group, Way of Life, is considering the purchase of the property. Sumrall, whose namesake founded the South Bend-based Christian media group LeSEA Broadcasting Network in 1957, said his plans for the property aren't ready to be released yet. "I'd kind of prefer to wait until we close on it before we give any info where we're headed," said Sumrall. If the deal goes through, it will be the second time in 12 years the 86-year-old theater has been closed and then reopened. The last premiere night was March 25, 1994, when developer Ken Allen celebrated the end of a $500,000 renovation to restore the theater to its original 1920s look. The theater had been city-owned and closed for more than a decade before that, and area residents came out in droves that night to see movies such as "Bugs Bunny" or "Grumpy Old Men". Sadly, the theater's revival died soon after. After only a few years of operating the screens, Allen converted the State to a nightclub. Allen also once owned the Tivoli Theater in downtown Mishawaka. It was demolished in February 2005. The State Theatre nightclub closed last August, and Roseland Acceptance assumed the property as part of a foreclosure. The Michigan firm has been seeking a buyer ever since. "We're a bank in East Lansing, Michigan: we're not interested in trying to restore the theater," said Patterson. His plans are still being finalized, but Sumrall said his ideas could be a very good thing for the downtown district. "We're trying to make downtown a better place," he said. Staff writer Christina Hildreth: childreth@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6271